Sonny Bill Williams Changes Mind : hold the front page

More predictable than a late X-factor call back, star seeking self promotionalist SBW will play for the Kiwis on their deluded task of defending their Rugby League World Cup, he announced just hours after announcing he wouldn't, at the absolute last minute. 

Do the All Blacks really want this show boating lime-lighter back for a similar charade in 2015? 

SBW needs to take a long look at a Ben Smith, a Keiran Read or a Richie McCaw. Hard working, self effacing and delivering results time and time again is what makes a legend, not careful media management and a headline hogging agent.

I hear he is playing in the 2016 Olympics fitness permitting. Cant blame him. I knew plenty of kids who wanted to be many things growing up, he is of the few achieving it, at top dollar too. Cant see NZ needing him in 2015, but Im happy for him. Not too many Multi code world champions floating about.

I see your point, but regarding the media I would blame the agent more than the player?

I'm sure SBW doesn't offer himself out for interview half as much as his representation does.

Shesh, he just wanted a holiday. He changed his mind because he didn't want to let his 'brothers' down. Give the guy a break GE. And you wouldn't observe a more self effacing bloke when you see him talk and hear how he is described by those fans/players that 'actually' know him or met him in person. Good on him, go play the RLWC if the coaches pick him (and drop someone else). The NZ team will need all the help they can get. Tony Kemp ain't happy though, but he is a bit of a tool (and openly slags off rugby)

But, on the flip, it could have been a way for SBW to imply that he does care about playing in the RLWC and caring for his 'brothers' but secretly hoping that he doesn't get picked. Who knows, hope he comes to NZ/chiefs next year.

kingraf wrote:I hear he is playing in the 2016 Olympics fitness permitting. Cant blame him. I knew plenty of kids who wanted to be many things growing up, he is of the few achieving it, at top dollar too. Cant see NZ needing him in 2015, but Im happy for him. Not too many Multi code world champions floating about.

Actually I can well see us wanting him in 2015 if not exactly needing him. In my opinion he was well on the way to surpassing Nonu as the first choice no12 when he went back to league. I think he would be great in the 12 shirt now if he had played the last year and a half with the ABs.

Here we go again

"Melbourne Storm backrower Tohu Harris has been cut from the Kiwis' World Cup squad to make way for Sonny Bill Williams."

I bet SBW doesn't do this on purpose. He's getting a hammering on talkback. Someone raised a good point about SBW changing his mind so that he isn't forced to box someone to retain his belt. Apparently he is exempt from having to fight if he is playing rugby or league.

Anyways, good luck SBW

To be fair when he lead the Chiefs to the SR title he seemed really down to earth and a quality team player and talisman for them.

Before that he played ITM rugby to earn his spot and was happy being rotated with the lazy as s$%t Nonu for the All Blacks until he won the shirt.


I just don't think he's as bad as some people hope he is.

He has upset a lot of people, from very early on.

Huge talent though who has delivered the goods across a few sports time and time again.

Let him get the 'Pie in the sky' dream of being a boxer out of his brain first. He needs to go to the USA or UK and fight someone with class, get hammered and then choose which code of rugby appeals to him the most.

I'm sure he annoys die hard fans of both codes in NZ but as an outsider looking in he just seems to be a very talented sportsman making the most of it. Doesn't come accross as arogant, just confident.

Submachine +1

I too think he's a talented sportsman who just wants to experience the peak of all he is capable of, well, maybe not seriously boxing but he'll do good as a journeyman.

good luck to him, and yes, he does come across as a decent bloke.

Nonu is still a better player.

Nonu playing out if his skin is as good as SBW on an average day. Half the time Nonu only shows up for 39 mins in a game

Not to mention Nonu's poor S15 form, seems he only comes to play for the AllBlacks

strange then when SBW was at union, Nonu kept him warming the bench.

Half of SBW trademark offloads ends up in a turnover... he's good, he's up there with the best... but he's not the best.

fa0019 wrote:strange then when SBW was at union, Nonu kept him warming the bench.

Half of SBW trademark offloads ends up in a turnover... he's good, he's up there with the best... but he's not the best.

Half? nah more like 3 in every 26

SBW staying in the NRL for 2014, stink

I was very surprised he chose to stay in the NRL.

I guess it came down to a choice between living in cold, windy and wet Hamilton or the sunny Eastern suburbs of Sydney, close to the beach and surrounded by gorgeous women.

Tough decision.

Either that or he finds the NRL tougher and more of a challenge.

Probably also didn't wanna let down his rooster 'brothers'. Was always on the cards until earlier this year when he apparently said he wanted back at the chiefs. Guess it's just another flip flop. He'll be back 2015 (or will he)

Maa at the chiefs?

That sucks. I hope both those NRL fans really appreciate him.

He will change is mind. Probably half way through the season.

Staying with League probably a good thing long term loyalty may now be rewarded.
Suspect it is his agent not him anyway and he has a RWC winners medal already.

Headline : SBW disillusioned with league after kiwis early exit.

Cue reneging his roosters contract and joining the chiefs.

More interestingly is will the chiefs pick up Nonu now they have a gap at 12? If anyone can get nonu motivated and playing surely its Wayne smith?

I think NZ might have won the Americas Cup if SBW had been on board.

Maybe.

Cyril,you are one sad person   

One of the better cyrilisms, I thought, Alan.  

SBW coming back to Union 2015 announced surprise,surprise HOW CYNICAL CAN YOU GET.Hansen should resist temptation and ignore him the All Blacks are bigger than any
one player.As for the 7`s squad who do you drop?just done the business in the Gold
Coast today .

Always was going to be back 2015 and then rio 2016. The issue was that he'd indicated mid way through the S15 season that he 'may' come back one year earlier. But someone forgot to shake is hand on it, how remiss.

SBW is not a team player he is totally selfish. Mind you he certainly showed how brave he was today when that snake appeared in the room and he ran like ***k and hide behind someone...brave very brave.

yes he's one in the you either gonna like him or hate him category. I've decided to listen to the comments of those closest to him..the Rennie's and chiefs players themselves. none have a bad word to say and he seems to be in a position where everyone is trying to guide him.

but in the end he's good for both nz rugby and league so gotta support him that respect and bottom line is he always delivers. Always.

NO the bottom line is IF he can do it then anyone can NOW players can say.HEY I`m off
for cash in the NH and or Japan,Just put in a good Super performance when I get back
and I`m an AB again.I`v e supported the AB`s all my life,and seen some pretty cynical
stuff by both players and selectors.BUT THIS shows really bad example what price loyalty
for the players he replaces.[assumimg it isn`t Nonu].The end is that putting yourself
above your team ISN`T good for NZ Rugby.2015/16 assuming RWC 2015 and Olympics
2016.Then back to League again?loyalty should count for more than self interest when
picking a team.IF the player replaced was maybe looking for a 10year berth as an AB
what would YOU think if your the one dropped.

Alan it's not the same as someone plying his trade in Japan or Europe. The NRL fits the union calendar and is played at a fast pace on generally hard grounds. Kaino for example will have to put on bulk to make the adjustment and the fact he's injured is the only reason he won't feel the different schedule much. A guy normally coming back from nh has no off season. SBW will and he won't have to change his conditioning or physique.

It's a different game for sure but he's already proved he can adapt. Who else in league or union could do what he's doing? Maybe Folau but he'd find Beale would have designs on the shirt if he left union. It's not ideal but it's hardly going to open the floodgates as switching codes is difficult and those who only play union know how difficult it is to come back after a northern season.

I think he'll pay for it in the end. Supreme talent sure but he's destined to be a good player in league, a good player in union, but I doubt he will get a starting place in 2015 and will be destined to be a bit part player again.

Could have been a legend in either code, a stand out player; if he continues at this rate he'll only be spoken of as one of a clutch of ABs etc.

But he's young, leading the life that he wants so who are we to say he's making a mistake... there are a lot more guys out there i.e. O'Connor, Cooper, Cipriani, Care, Frans Steyn who have done far worse in their careers.

Fair play to Sonny Bill, he sure heaps the pressure on himself but so far he's more than backed it up on the field in both codes.

I'm sure he ruffles a few feathers by doing things his own way but good luck to him, he's a pretty special athlete and rugby player.... rubbish boxer though.....

I like the guy, but it's an odd one. Seems like a nice bloke and a gent in interviews and according to teammates etc. but seems to have no loyalty to clubs. Frankly, I'd rather it was that way around. I suppose given people thought Ashton was arrogant for celebrating during scoring/being English it's a case of 'haters gonna hate'.

He's a brilliant talent, seems to be a professional and humble about the game and I think union is better with him, I'm glad he's coming back.

I heard/read an interesting description of Williams somewhere (might even have been here on 606, but I can't recall).  He was described as an essentially simple person who is blissfully unaware of the ruckus he causes and the lack of loyalty he engenders. So, not a selfish person.  

I really don't know if thats true or not, because I don't know the bloke, but I thought it might be a good idea to share.

 

Cyril wrote:I think NZ might have won the Americas Cup if SBW had been on board.

Maybe.

Cyril, you post a lot of sh!te a lot of the time, but that's one of the best I've seen on 606 for ages

doctor_grey wrote:I heard/read an interesting description of Williams somewhere (might even have been here on 606, but I can't recall).  He was described as an essentially simple person who is blissfully unaware of the ruckus he causes and the lack of loyalty he engenders. So, not a selfish person.  

I really don't know if thats true or not, because I don't know the bloke, but I thought it might be a good idea to share.

That's about right doc. He's a highly motivated and determined individual who gives his all no matter who he's with...and always delivers. Compare that to the jocs of the game who have similar profiles and think they can wing it and party up. SBW is a professional in every respect and as he said himself just wants to get as much out of life while he can. Never says a bad word about anyone, yet takes all the criticism without a word.

He's a better league player than union and knows he will find it tough in 2015 to start for the ABs but there's the challenge. For the Hansen's and Rennie's of this world to both be willing to take him back on his own terms says it all for me.

He's also an excellent role model for kids and fans alike both on and off the field.